Shakuyaku (Chinese peony) flowers: Ofuna Flower Center (Kamakura)

 In China, Shakuyaku (Chinese peony) has been used as a medicinal herb since before the Common Era, and its roots were highly valued as the traditional Chinese medicine or “Shakuyaku” (powdered peony root).

In ancient China, the Chinese peony was recognized not merely as a medicinal herb, but also as a plant symbolizing “feminine beauty.” Eventually, it began to be cultivated as an ornamental plant, and the cultivation of ornamental varieties flourished particularly during the Song Dynasty (10th–13th centuries).

While the peony is called the “King of Flowers” in China, the peony was referred to as the “Premier of Flowers.”  Although it may be less splendid than the peony, it has been admired as a flower embodying elegant and harmonious beauty.